GAINESVILLE -- Florida star defensive end Carlos Dunlap was arrested for DUI early Tuesday morning. This is not a good way to begin championship week.

After reading the police report, Dunlap [PICTURED] is lucky to be alive. He was arrested while passed out at a red light around 3:30 a.m. at the 200 block of SW 34th Street in Gainesville, according to police. Police had to put the car in park and turn off the ignition. Dunlap was clearly impaired, according to police, and failed field sobriety tests. Gainesville police spokesman Keith Kameg said that Dunlap had trouble remaining awake while initially being questioned by police.

University of Florida sports information director Steve McClain released a statement on Tuesday morning indicating that Florida coach Urban Meyer is "aware of the incident and currently gathering more information."

An update from Meyer isn't expected until after Tuesday's practice, which is currently scheduled to end around 6 p.m.

Dunlap, a junior, was booked into the Alachua County Jail at 5:52 a.m. and, according to jail records, was still in jail around 11:50 a.m. Before Tuesday, Dunlap was projected as a top 15 pick in the NFL Draft. He has recorded 35 tackles, seven sacks and six pass defenses in 12 games. Dunlap was the most outstanding defensive player of the 2008 BCS national championship.

If Dunlap is unable to play in Saturday's game, then defensive ends Justin Trattou, Duke Lemmens and William Green will fill the void. All three players are quality defenders.

So, should Dunlap be suspended for the SEC championship game? Should he be checked into the Betty Ford Clinic? Where the heck were Dunlap's teammates last night when somebody needed to take away the keys?